Telescope Reviews: Eyepiece orientation in eyepiece case

· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt

· Submit a Review / Article

Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums

Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User

You are not logged in. [Login]

Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online
FAQ · Calendar

Equipment Discussions >> ATM, Optics and DIY Forum

Pages: 1

tnranger
member

Reged: 01/14/12

Eyepiece orientation in eyepiece case
#5673870 - 02/11/13 11:25 AM

I found the iconic Harbor Freight aluminum tool case that I am about to modify for eyepiece storage. I am trying to decide if I should have the eyepieces laying down, or standing up. I can get more stuff in the case (finder, COL hand piece, collimation tools, etc.) if they are standing up. I was thinking I could make a frame with 1.25" holes and pad around them, but then worried the eyepieces would not be as protected as if they were laying down.

Any opinions?

Post Extras:

JimMo
I'd Rather Do It Myself

Reged: 01/08/07

Loc: Under the SE Michigan lightdom...

Re: Eyepiece orientation in eyepiece case new

[Re: tnranger]
#5674189 - 02/11/13 02:58 PM

I've done it both ways and prefer them standing up to save space. I've since moved up to a Pelican 1550 for eyepieces but still have one of the Lowes cases that I bought 15 years ago holding accessories.

For this topic you'd probably get more responses in the eyepiece forum.

Post Extras:

tnranger
member

Reged: 01/14/12

Re: Eyepiece orientation in eyepiece case new

[Re: JimMo]
#5674403 - 02/11/13 04:39 PM

Good idea, Jim. I'll do just that.

Thanks.

Post Extras:

Jon Isaacs
Postmaster

Reged: 06/16/04

Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA

Re: Eyepiece orientation in eyepiece case new

[Re: tnranger]
#5677126 - 02/13/13 07:26 AM

Quote:

I found the iconic Harbor Freight aluminum tool case that I am about to modify for eyepiece storage. I am trying to decide if I should have the eyepieces laying down, or standing up. I can get more stuff in the case (finder, COL hand piece, collimation tools, etc.) if they are standing up. I was thinking I could make a frame with 1.25" holes and pad around them, but then worried the eyepieces would not be as protected as if they were laying down.

Any opinions?

I lay mine down flat.

- I think it is more secure, big, heavy eyepieces need to lie flat in a foam case, there is not enough surface to support a 2.3 lbs eyepiece like the 20mm Type 2 Nagler.

- My main case already weighs close to 20 lbs when loaded, that's enough. I am not trying to pack all my eyepieces and tools in one case. My eyepieces are in sets so if want my Naglers, I grab one case, if I want my Orthos, it's another case.

- The big reason though is that when I am observing out in the mountains where it can be dry and dusty or cold and damp, if an eyepiece is not in a focuser, it's in the case with the lid shut. If they stored horizontally, it's a lot easier, they just lie in the slots and it's no wear and tear on the foam.

Jon

Post Extras:

Tom Clark
professor emeritus

Reged: 11/14/07

Loc: North of Deming, NM

Re: Eyepiece orientation in eyepiece case new

[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#5677250 - 02/13/13 09:05 AM Attachment (24 downloads)

This home-made box is about 20 years old. It has over 100,000 miles on it bouncing around in a storage bay of our RV. No foam, no eyepiece caps to take on and off all night long, provides for instant eyepiece changes, and never once an eyepiece scratched in all those years.

Also. eyepieces come and go over the years. The bottom inside section can be replaced anytime when you want to rearrange your eyepieces. No foam to get dirty or wear out.

I use a 2" hole saw and sand the holes out so they the eyepieces just slide in and out. That way they cannot tip over.

Also, when the lid is opened dimable led's light up the interior so you can see things.

The two handles are on the sides of the bottom half of the case. With a top handle sooner or later you will grab the case to put it back in the car, and the eyepieces will roll every where, because you forgot to latch the case closed.

Post Extras:

tnranger
member

Reged: 01/14/12

Re: Eyepiece orientation in eyepiece case new

[Re: Tom Clark]
#5677526 - 02/13/13 11:44 AM

That is a sweet (and simple) case, Tom!

Post Extras:

Pat at home
sage

Reged: 03/16/07

Loc: Campbellton, New Brunswick, Ca...

Re: Eyepiece orientation in eyepiece case new

[Re: tnranger]
#5678297 - 02/13/13 08:23 PM Attachment (15 downloads)

"Also. eyepieces come and go over the years. The bottom inside section can be replaced anytime when you want to rearrange your eyepieces. No foam to get dirty or wear out.

I use a 2" hole saw and sand the holes out so they the eyepieces just slide in and out. That way they cannot tip over."

I use the same approach, but my case is not nearly as nice.

Post Extras:

Luigi
Postmaster

Reged: 07/03/07

Loc: MA

Re: Eyepiece orientation in eyepiece case new

[Re: Pat at home]
#5682173 - 02/15/13 07:03 PM

I have mine lying on their sides. I can feel for them and grab them in the dark without sticking my finger on a lens.

Post Extras:

Jon Isaacs
Postmaster

Reged: 06/16/04

Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA

Re: Eyepiece orientation in eyepiece case new

[Re: Luigi]
#5682394 - 02/15/13 09:29 PM

Quote:

I have mine lying on their sides. I can feel for them and grab them in the dark without sticking my finger on a lens.

Jon

Post Extras:

droid
rocketman

Reged: 08/29/04

Loc: Conneaut, Ohio

Re: Eyepiece orientation in eyepiece case new

[Re: Pat at home]
#5682605 - 02/15/13 11:40 PM

Quote:

"Also. eyepieces come and go over the years. The bottom inside section can be replaced anytime when you want to rearrange your eyepieces. No foam to get dirty or wear out.

I use a 2" hole saw and sand the holes out so they the eyepieces just slide in and out. That way they cannot tip over."

I use the same approach, but my case is not nearly as nice.

Its ruggedly handsom for a simple wooden case......and after all beauty is only wood deep.

Post Extras:

Pages: 1

Extra information

14 registered and 19 anonymous users are browsing this forum.

Moderator: ausastronomer, richard7

Print Thread

Forum Permissions
      You cannot start new topics
      You cannot reply to topics
      HTML is disabled
      UBBCode is enabled

Thread views: 561

Jump to

CN Forums

Home

Cloudy Nights LLC
Cloudy Nights Sponsor: Astronomics